Elementor
The most widely installed visual page builder for WordPress, with a free drag-and-drop editor and Pro plans adding theme, popup, form and…
90
Spectra
Gutenberg block library and visual builder from Brainstorm Force, with free blocks, patterns and popups plus a Pro add-on for dynamic content and loops.
Free installs1M+WordPress.org, active
Est. Pro installs~110KLikely 72K–170K
Vendor claims1M+Vendor's own figure
Rating4.7/51,872 reviews
Price from$69/yrFreemium
Last updated3 Nov 2026Version 2.20.6
Overview
Spectra is Brainstorm Force’s block toolkit for the WordPress block editor. Instead of replacing the editor, it adds its own blocks (containers, buttons, tabs, sliders, forms, countdowns, post grids and more) and extensions that put extra design controls on blocks. Pages are saved as normal block markup, so content stays readable if you later switch tools.
In 2026 the product was split in two. The long-running plugin (WordPress.org slug ultimate-addons-for-gutenberg) is now called Spectra Legacy; it keeps getting security and compatibility fixes but no new features. New development happens in a separate free plugin, Spectra Blocks, which is built on core block APIs and needs PHP 8.1. Both can run side by side and there is no forced migration.
Free vs Pro
- The free plugins cover the block library, responsive settings, block animations, a basic popup builder, global style defaults, local Google Fonts, display conditions and the pattern library.
- Spectra Pro adds dynamic content (post fields, meta and ACF), the Loop Builder, login and registration forms, advanced modal, slider and countdown blocks, mega menus, motion effects, image masking and advanced popup and global style options.
- Premium kits and the ZipWP AI site builder come with the higher Essential and Business toolkits, which also bundle Astra Pro, SureForms and Ultimate Addons for Elementor.
Strengths
Spectra loads CSS only for the blocks used on a page, works with any block theme or classic theme, and pairs naturally with the Astra theme and Starter Templates. The free tier is generous for a block plugin, and the entry Pro plan is inexpensive.
Limitations
It is not a full site builder on its own: header, footer and archive templates rely on the WordPress Site Editor or Astra Pro, and there are no dedicated WooCommerce template blocks. The Legacy/Blocks split adds some confusion for new users choosing which plugin to install, and there is no white-label option.
Spectra suits people who want to stay inside Gutenberg and need richer blocks and design controls without adopting a separate page builder, especially Astra users.
Best for: Gutenberg users, especially on Astra, who want richer blocks and design controls without a separate page builder.
Spectra is one of the stronger free block libraries, with popups, animations and display conditions that many rivals charge for. It is a block toolkit rather than a complete site builder, so plan on the Site Editor or Astra Pro for templates, and note that new features now land in the separate Spectra Blocks plugin.
Pros
- Generous free block library inside the native editor
- Assets loaded only for blocks used on each page
- Free popup builder, animations and display conditions
- Pro plan is cheap and bundles Astra Pro and SureForms
- Content saved as standard block markup, low lock-in
Cons
- No built-in theme builder or WooCommerce template blocks
- Product split into Spectra Legacy and Spectra Blocks can confuse new users
- Dynamic content and Loop Builder require Pro
- No white-label option
Key features
What Spectra highlights on its WordPress.org page and its own website, split by version.
Free version WordPress.org
- Container, tabs, slider and accordion blocks
- Post grid, carousel and timeline blocks
- Contact and newsletter form block
- Popup builder and coming soon mode
- Block entrance animations
- Per-device responsive settings
- Display conditions by role, browser and day
- Global style defaults and local fonts
- FAQ, How-To and review schema blocks
- CSS loaded only for blocks in use
- Free pattern library
Pro / paid adds From $69/yr
- Dynamic content from post fields and meta
- Loop Builder for custom post listings
- ACF field support including repeaters
- Login and registration form blocks
- Advanced modal, slider and countdown blocks
- Mega menu and SVG animator
- Motion effects and image masking
- Advanced popup and global style options
- Premium kits with higher toolkits
- ZipWP AI site generation in toolkits
- Bundled Astra Pro and SureForms
Feature checklist
20 of 25 features we track in Page Builders, feature score 78/100
Editing 8/8
Visual front-end editor Key
Edit pages visually on the front end, seeing the real design as you build.
Visual editing happens in the block editor canvas, not on the live front end.
Partial
Built on the block editor
Works inside Gutenberg as blocks rather than a separate editor.
Adds blocks and extensions to Gutenberg rather than a separate editor.
Included
Responsive controls Key
Separate settings per breakpoint for desktop, tablet and mobile.
Desktop, tablet and mobile settings per block; responsive visibility conditions in Pro.
Included
Global styles & design tokens
Site-wide colours, fonts and spacing reused across elements.
Global styling defaults in free; advanced Global Styles listed as a Pro extension.
Included
Flexbox & CSS grid layouts
Modern container layouts using flexbox and CSS grid.
Container block builds flexbox layouts with nesting.
Included
Custom CSS per element
Add custom CSS to individual elements or sections.
Custom classes and CSS variables on blocks; no full per-block CSS editor confirmed.
Partial
Revision history & undo
Step back through changes and restore earlier versions.
Relies on core WordPress post revisions and editor undo.
Included
AI assistant
Generate layouts, text, images or code with built-in AI.
ZipAI writing/page assistant works in the editor; full AI site generation needs higher toolkits.
Included
Elements & templates 5/5
Template library Key
Ready-made page and section templates.
Free pattern library; premium kits need the Essential Toolkit or higher.
Included
Large element library
Wide range of widgets/elements (sliders, tabs, galleries, pricing tables and more).
Dozens of blocks: sliders, tabs, timelines, price lists, maps, testimonials and more.
Included
Popup builder
Design popups with triggers and display conditions.
Free popup builder with triggers; advanced popup options in Pro.
Included
Built-in forms
Contact or lead forms built into the builder.
Form block for contact and newsletter forms with reCAPTCHA; login/register blocks in Pro.
Included
Motion effects & animations
Entrance animations, scroll and hover effects.
Free block entrance animations; motion effects and advanced animation in Pro.
Included
Theme & dynamic 5/6
Theme builder Key
Design headers, footers, archives and single templates.
No own template builder; use the Site Editor or Astra Pro's site builder bundled with Pro.
Partial
Dynamic content Key
Pull post fields, custom fields and site data into designs.
Post fields, author data, post/term meta and featured images in supported blocks.
Paid version Spectra Pro
ACF / custom field support
Use Advanced Custom Fields, Meta Box or similar in designs.
ACF fields, including repeaters, usable via Pro dynamic content and Loop Builder.
Paid version Spectra Pro
Query loops & listings
Build custom post grids/listings with your own loop design.
Loop Builder designs custom post listings with filters and pagination.
Paid version Spectra Pro
Display conditions
Show elements or templates based on rules (user role, page type, date…).
Hide blocks by login state, role, browser, OS or day; pricing page lists advanced conditions in Pro.
Included
WooCommerce builder Key
Design product, shop, cart and checkout templates.
Compatible with WooCommerce but has no product, cart or checkout template blocks.
Not included
Performance & workflow 2/6
Lightweight output Key
Minimal markup/CSS/JS on the front end; assets loaded only when used.
Loads CSS only for blocks used on a page; Google Fonts can be served locally.
Included
Content survives deactivation
Pages keep readable content (not shortcodes) if the builder is removed.
Saved as standard block markup with no shortcodes or proprietary format.
Included
Role & client permissions
Limit what clients or roles can edit.
No role-based editing restrictions found in Spectra's documentation.
Not verified
White label
Rebrand the builder for client sites.
White-label is not listed for Spectra; Astra Pro's white label covers only Astra products.
Not included
Developer API
Hooks/APIs for custom elements and integrations.
Open-source code on GitHub, but no developer API documentation was found.
Not verified
Cloud templates / multisite
Save and reuse templates across sites (cloud library).
No cloud library for saving your own designs across sites was confirmed.
Not verified
Pricing
Free
$0On WordPress.org
Spectra Pro
$69per year3 sites
Bundles Astra Pro, SureForms Agency and Ultimate Addons for Elementor. Lifetime option listed at $349 (shown at $319).
Essential Toolkit + AI
$299per year10 sites
First year shown at $199. Adds premium kits and ZipWP AI site generation. Lifetime listed at $899 (shown at $549).
Business Toolkit + AI
$429per year1000 sites
First year shown at $279. More blueprint/sandbox sites and VIP support. Lifetime listed at $1,299 (shown at $799).
Prices are list prices from the vendor's site, checked 14 Oct 2026. Many vendors discount the first year.
How many sites use Spectra?
Free installs from WordPress.org, the vendor's own claim, and our estimate of paid installs.
Free version (WordPress.org)
1M+
Active installations reported by WordPress.org.
Vendor claim
1M+
Sites/users claimed on the vendor's website. source
Estimated Pro / paid installs
~110K
Our estimate, see method below.
How we estimated this: WordPress.org shows 1M+ free installs, which could mean anything from 1M to 2M. The vendor says 1M+ sites, so we put the free count halfway between the middle of that range and the vendor figure, at about 1.3M. Website scans by WPoptic find the paid plugin (folder spectra-pro) on 15,692 live sites; they find the free version on 172,689 sites against about 1.3M WordPress.org installs, so each site found stands for about 7.2, giving 110K. About 1.3M free installs x 5.6% (the usual share of free sites that also run the paid version when most features are free, and Pro is included in a wider membership, lower for very large free bases) gives 70K. Combining these (weighted average) gives about 110K. Likely range: 72K to 170K. This counts sites running the paid version, including sites whose licence has lapsed. Estimates are rough and based on public figures as of 14 Oct 2026.
Stats & health
Weekly downloads
66,380 downloads last week, 44.3M all time
Rating breakdown
| Version | 2.20.6 |
|---|---|
| Last updated | 3 Nov 2026 (0 days ago) |
| Tested up to | WordPress 7.1.4 |
| Requires | WordPress 5.6+, PHP 7.4+ |
| Support threads (2 months) | 5 of 7 resolved |
| On WordPress.org since | 13 Jun 2018 |
Company & policy
| Refund policy | 14-day money-back (source, 5 Oct 2026) |
|---|
Spectra compared
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FAQ
Is Spectra free?
Yes. Spectra has a free version on WordPress.org. Paid plans start at $69/yr.
How many sites use Spectra?
WordPress.org reports 1M+ active installations of the free version. The vendor claims 1M+ sites in total. We estimate around 110K sites run the paid version.
Does Spectra have visual front-end editor?
Yes: partial. Visual editing happens in the block editor canvas, not on the live front end.
Does Spectra have responsive controls?
Yes: included. Desktop, tablet and mobile settings per block; responsive visibility conditions in Pro.
Does Spectra have template library?
Yes: included. Free pattern library; premium kits need the Essential Toolkit or higher.
Does Spectra have theme builder?
Yes: partial. No own template builder; use the Site Editor or Astra Pro's site builder bundled with Pro.
Does Spectra have dynamic content?
Yes: paid version (Spectra Pro). Post fields, author data, post/term meta and featured images in supported blocks.
Does Spectra have woocommerce builder?
No: not included. Compatible with WooCommerce but has no product, cart or checkout template blocks.
Does Spectra have lightweight output?
Yes: included. Loads CSS only for blocks used on a page; Google Fonts can be served locally.
What is the difference between Spectra Legacy and Spectra Blocks?
Spectra Legacy is the original plugin, now maintenance-only. Spectra Blocks is a separate free plugin where new features are added. You can run both while moving new pages to Spectra Blocks.
Can Spectra build headers, footers and archive templates?
Not on its own. Use Spectra blocks inside the WordPress Site Editor with a block theme, or Astra Pro's site builder, which is bundled with Spectra Pro.
What happens to my pages if I deactivate Spectra?
Pages are stored as block markup, so text and images remain, but Spectra-specific blocks lose their styling and may show as unsupported blocks.
Is Spectra Pro sold separately?
Yes. Spectra Pro costs $69 per year for 3 sites and includes Astra Pro and other Brainstorm Force plugins; the larger toolkits add AI and premium kits.
Last updated 5 Oct 2026. Spotted something wrong? Suggest an edit.